Not only did the Borderers fight against those of other nations.
Constantly they fought amongst themselves. A quick-tempered, revengeful
lot were the men of those Border clans. On the Northumberland side the
quarrels were as frequent as they were amongst those hot-headed
Scots--Kers and Scotts, Elliots and Turnbulls and Croziers.
In the sixteenth century one of the most powerful of the clans in the
wild Northumbrian country was that of the Reeds of Redesdale. Even now
it is a lonely part of the south land, that silent valley down which,
from its source up amongst the Cheviots, the Rede flows eastward. Bog
and heather and bracken still occupy the ground to right and to left of
it, and there are few sounds besides the bleat of sheep or the cries of
wild birds to break the silence of the hills and moors. But when the
Reeds held power the hills often echoed to the lowing of driven cattle,
to the hoof-beat of galloping horses, and to the sounds of a fight being
fought to the death. A foray into England brought many a sturdy Scottish
reiver riding over the Carter Bar; and Reeds, and Halls, and Ridleys
were never averse from a night ride across the English Border when a
Michaelmas moon smiled on the enterprise. The Reeds were a strong clan,
but in power and in reputation they took only a second place, for the
family of the Halls was stronger still.
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